The hubbub over the Hand

John — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:05:52 GMT

No matter how obvious it is, the 'wise' will always discredit the existence of a creator.

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Danny G — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:18:27 GMT

I saw the flying spaghetti monster in my pasta bowl at lunch today.

Ramen...

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Brian H. Studio City, CA — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:21:51 GMT

Of course it's not God. It's obviously Dr Manhattan.

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The Wombat, Albany, NY — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:22:44 GMT

Yup, it must be the hand of God. It has 3 fingers and one thumb.

Makes sense to me.

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not morman or athiest, slc, utah — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:43:55 GMT

sure there COULD be a god, but proving it one way or the other is still impossible. but why do people insist that he made one planet habitable, just for us and nothing else in the endless space, which is contained in another endless space, and so on.. earth is special, but come on, we're not that special

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Rick — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:46:34 GMT

No wonder this place is going to hell he's 17,000 light years away!!!

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whatever, yakima, WA — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:48:29 GMT

Looks like God's reaching for a hot dog...

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Brandon, Lancaster, PA — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:52:53 GMT

If there is no creator and the planets were formed by the big bang, the theory of conservation of momentum says that all of the planets should spin the same way. Well then, why does Venus spin the opposite direction...? In my opinion, God just did that to make the Big Bang Theory full of baloney.

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steve smyth — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:17:15 GMT

It looks like the hand is grasping for one of those mysterious groups of lights UFO guys see all the time.
Don'tcha think?

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not morman or athiest, slc, utah — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:26:06 GMT

we used to spin so fast a day was a few hours, then smashy smashy now we have a moon, and it tugged on us till now we have a 24 hour day, obviously something was momentarily or continually affecting venus orbit- mabe it had acompanion as well but it got destroyed or flung out of the system

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Louise — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:45:23 GMT

Re: Brandon

Venus spins the 'wrong way' because sometime in the very-distant past, a very large asteroid or comet hit the planet. The impact was so severe that it changed the motion of the planet's spin. However, Venus' rotation is gradually slowing down so at some point in the future, it will revert.

Not God. Just physics played on a cosmic scale.

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C, SRQ, FL — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:47:14 GMT

While there may be a "scientific" explaination for it, that doesn't mean that those of us that believe God exists and influences our lives could not have hand a hand in it. Just because you can't pin God down and disect Him..doesn't make Him any less real then the computer you used to read this article and post your responce. Don't knock other peoples beliefs and put them down just cuz you don't agree with them.

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spaghettimonster — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:59:58 GMT

well you opinion makes no sense. how could god make venus spin in the opposite direction to disprove the BBT when venus has been spinning in that direction before there was human beings who suggested the idea of the BBT. Can god see into the future now? Consider this, all humans are supposed to be born with 10 fingers and 10 toes but a freak event might give them 12 of each. a freak event during the creation of Venus might make it spin backwards. Its perfectly plausible and alot more believable than an invisible man that made everything.

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Godlez — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:02:03 GMT

Yep, it's the hand of god spinning a colossal pizza!

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PrimeSoup — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:35:01 GMT

Those who would claim this to be "the hand of God" are faced with a difficult question: If the image is meant to be God's demonstration to all of us of his presence, then why would he use such an inconvenient segment of the light spectrum? It's not like one can step outside, look toward Circinus, and see the display featured here with the naked eye. This is a color-enhanced, x-ray photograph. It's a faux representation of what one cannot see without observational equipment, and nothing more.

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Ryan, TX — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:42:14 GMT

Brandon, the planets of our solar system did not form with the Big Bang. The Big Bang happened 13.7 billion years ago. The planets of our solar system formed a little over 4 and a half billion years ago.

Why is it only the people that don't know squat about science think that its all full of holes?

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Jerry Johnston, Calgary, Alberta — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:43:22 GMT

As good a name as any, says I. And maybe the "Miracle" is in the degree of random that gives chaos a shape that can only been seen from here. It is still alright for some to see it and believe in a fortune... and others to wonder at only the beauty....

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Lava Kafle, Kathmandu Nepal — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:46:13 GMT

Perfect, Einstein's Theory of relativity and the Equation of Time both combine to release such huge energy only Possible to God's powers that runs this and other universe. God resides there and Hubble helps us find him.

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matt, denver, co. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:46:27 GMT

Obviously a fake, no grilled cheese sandwhich in sight.

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Carl, Orange CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:03:40 GMT

Thank God it's not the cosmic middle finger.

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not stupid, Seattle area — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:17:46 GMT

foolish minds will always see images that aren't there. A mirage is where the little man who isn't there parks his car.

All hail Flying Spaghetti Monster

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Kyle B, SLC UT — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:19:29 GMT

If it is God, He's got a big ganglion cyst on His wrist and needs to have it removed!

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not stupid, Seattle area (devout atheist) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:20:15 GMT

if the poll said it was the hand of god what do they make of the grilled cheese sandwich with mary's picture on it?

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Martin, Orlando — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:24:46 GMT

Brandon,

Conservation of angular momentum says no such thing. The *total* angular momentum of an isolated system is conserved. Different parts of the system can have different angular momenta

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T.E.HARLEY,SR. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:41:26 GMT

Things are getting closer, most images we get are in the millions of light years away.
Are we looking closer,or are "THEY" getting closer.

Most of these images dont even exist in their presently shown form. Millions of light years away,or just around the corner-17,000 light years away, we are looking at what was,not what is.
The hand of God????? it may well look like a closed fist by now(in real time).

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chumley, st. paul, mn — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:51:46 GMT

nice anthropomorphism. who says god is humanoid? seems pretty arrogant to simply assume so.

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survivor with mind intact — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:51:51 GMT

In elementary school I was shown a "science" film that demonstrated how gravity lead to the formation of the Earth. On cue, a set of giant, semi-transparent hands appeared and squeezed matter into a sphere, making the Earth the same way you make a snowball. Now we need to be looking for the other hand...
And yes, it was a public school in the deep south in the 1960's. (Sigh).

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mike dywat — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:53:55 GMT

How can otherwise rational people believe in god? How can they claim to know what god does and doesn't do? It is comforting to believe, but there is nothing that can prove a god. There are MANY things that can disprove it, especially written religious word. Wake up people! It is OK to not believe. Don't be a sheep!!

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Jaggu Nanduri — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:58:31 GMT

3 fingers, 1 thumb. Its the hand of Homer. Homer Simpson. D'oh.

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Oral Roberts — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:06:35 GMT

Give me a million dollars or the hand is going to reach out and get me....even though according to Einstein, the hand can't exceed the speed of light. Please do this and save my life 17,000 years from now!

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Bert Schultz, Philadelphia, PA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:07:35 GMT

Whenever god closes a door, he opens a window. That's why his heating bill is so astronomical.

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Dude, in the void — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:35:57 GMT

ppphhht...ppphhht...uh...uh...pheeewww...wow, man, that looks just like my hand under a black light. I'm...God! ...ppphhht...ppphhht...

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Dave Bailey, Pickering, Ontario, Canada — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:46:42 GMT

Cool pic!

And totally, 100% a natural phenomenon.

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MIah, Austin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:51:24 GMT

I sneezed the face of jesus onto a paper plate once - Trufe god is out there.

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Art, Dallas — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:03:14 GMT

Hubble has shown us that there is a Supreme Force in the cosmos. I would be such a wast of space for no one to own it!

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Paddy Hayes, Beaverton, OR — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:05:34 GMT

If you look at the wrist, I'm pretty sure I see a naked chick.

Is that Eve?

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Ob Noxious, Miles City, MT — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:18:13 GMT

Which god? Which hand?

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Amitabh Das — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:46:14 GMT

Its amazing to see discovery like this .. reaching 17,000 light years from Earth and discovering this phenomenan is indeed a wonderful sight enthralling and a delight for us. Thank you god !!

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Tim Rommes, Washington, UT — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:47:19 GMT

Opposable thumb *and* opposable pinky. And some serious carpal tunnel issues.

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tom, avalon, pa — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:52:11 GMT

If that's all he's got then maybe he should go back to toast.

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ahmad, rawalpindi ,pakistan — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:58:06 GMT

it is not the hand of god but only atomic spectrum emmited by highly unstable atomic neuclius by the way why will god show his only one hand not the entire body .

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Jay, Dallas, TX — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:58:47 GMT

Beautiful - but what REALLY cracks me up are the people that think so highly of themselves that God is going to "rapture" them literally out of their cars
while they're driving down the freeway.
That's some serious ego.

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john doe — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:02:15 GMT

looks like a coney dog to me, whatever...

Looks like God's reaching for a hot dog...
whatever, yakima, WA

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True Believer, Dallas, Texas — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:06:20 GMT

Yup, this is that rascally wabbit god that has his pieces parts strung out all over the universe. The second coming will be him reassembling himself and landing on Earth in a hybrid spacecraft built by Chrysler and financed by the U.S. taxpayers. Y'all best get ready now!!!

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Let Go Of Dogma, Irvine, Freaky California — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:12:13 GMT

Creation existed before man. Religion did not. If there is a god, it is far more incomprehensible to us than any religion can hope to explain. We are ants crawling across an open quantum physics textbook, fooling ourselves that we have any chance of understanding it. How arrogant are those who choose to believe that they "know" god.

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Jan Richards, San Jose, CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:14:05 GMT

I saw a cloud that looked like a hand in the sky a few years ago when we were at our son's track meet. Mostly, the image amused me, and made me think. It was not literally the "hand of god" to me, but it was a "moment-stopper." Here are links to the photo, http://budurl.com/kzjf, and a larger context shot where it almost looks like the hand is getting ready to catch a stick or boomerang, http://budurl.com/6zdz.

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Ron Atkins, Kew Gardens, NY — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:15:13 GMT

Actually, Brandon of Lancaster, Pa, Pope Pius XII was originally interested in promoting The Big Bang Theory as scientific proof of the Biblical story of Genesis. Father Georges Lemaitre, the Catholic priest who originally devised The Big Bang Theory, successfully argued that scientific theory should not influence religious belief.

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Bill, Gibsonton, FL — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:19:28 GMT

Well guess what? There's a theory now that says the universe was created just for us so we could learn to understand it. After all, think about it. If we weren't here, what point would there be to have a universe?

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Dennis, Highland, CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:22:22 GMT

OK, let's change it all around.
Look real close at the red, glowing gas's at the top....isn't that the crown of thorns.
I can see, in the center...a nose with eyes on either side.
Down a little further is a giant, flowing beard.
Then the smoke from the bong from under the beard.
God is hittin the Bong!!

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traveler of both time and space, rockbottom, fl — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:22:50 GMT

So, the Creator of the heavens and the Earth decides to show Himself to the only beings that worship Him by allowing an image of His hand to be captured, 17,000 light years away?

All these years of this pesky agnosticism down the drain! Now what will I do to be different?

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S.G. CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:24:11 GMT

If you take enough pictures of enough random shapes, sooner or later something is going to look like something else. Great pictures, but proof of a creator? Hardly.

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fizzy — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:34:07 GMT

It's just a nebula created and shaped by a pulsar. Why must we anthropomorphize these things? It's beautiful, yes, but it would also be absolutely deadly to anything caught in the path of those x-rays.

Personally, I find the physical processes that are occurring with this pulsar far more fascinating than any theological or philosophical assertions could ever be.

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Andy Boo, Phila, Pa — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:36:17 GMT

We will all answer to the smurf with the giant hand.

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plaid lemur — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:44:18 GMT

It's funny that people see god through many of the weaknesses of the human psyche--in this case, anthropomorphizing cosmic dust. We are wired to see patterns, and ascribe them to various things. This is something that has made us extremely good hunters and problem solvers, but has left us with weaknesses in our ability to see beyond false patterns easily.

For all those that may be thinking this is something divine, take a moment, a deep breath, and think about the billions stars and our place in them. We are a small organism on a tiny rock, not some all important plaything of a magnificent beast. We are not that fortunate or special, but we are fortunate and special enough to be able to experience such wonderment at the magnitude of our insignificance.

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W.A.N,Seattle,Wash — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:48:48 GMT

It,s like inside the eye

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Eric, L, beav, OR — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:51:39 GMT

whatever it is, its cool. Could be God, we are that special, could be natural, ;still God is cool, ultimately it doesnt really matter.

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Stevie Pittsley ~ Ware, Ma. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:53:47 GMT

What a joke .... You have to be kidding me , people getting all excited about a swirl of gas in space ; I 've seen better patterns in my morning coffee.
Get a Life , Mankind, before you wake up , and realize that it's all over ............. jeez ....

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JBL — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:57:00 GMT

What you're actually seeing is (he who does not like to be called God) putting the smackdown on the Battlestar Galactica. duh.

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Michael J. Kelly — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:00:10 GMT

Take a close look all you righties. Left handed people are more creative and this proves it. God is left handed!

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Joe — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:03:02 GMT

God or Science...? What if science was the only way we can learn to estimate God's work? We were made in his image, therefore, everything we create has already, in a sence, been created. To God we are but like children making stange combinations in an easy bake out of some playdough and legos then calling it new discovery.

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Chris, Reno — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:04:41 GMT

Religion will have you believe the vast universe was crafted for just us by a single entitity of our form. In the scope of things, mankind to the universe is the equivalent of ants to the city whom believe the entire park was made just for them by one mother ant.

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Matthew, richmond, VA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:06:04 GMT

This is not the hand of god. God is not real. But I will say it could be closly related to some kind of life out there given use a sign that we are not alone in the universe.

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Terry Quakertown, Pennsylvania — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:18:08 GMT

Only time will tell..if there is actually a higher power that created all there is in this universe. The "wise" of the scientific world have theories, and no more physical evidence to substantiate their belief there isn't a god than those that have a religious view. In the long run however..I had rather die believing in God..and take the chance there isn't one, than to die doing my best to discredit God and find out there IS a God. What a thought for humanity!!

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The Lunatic — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:18:43 GMT

Reminds me of an article in The Onion this last year - the headlines proclaimed "Evolutionists flock to Darwin shaped stain on wall"

[ALAN ADDS: Yes, I loved that story. Here's the link:]

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/evolutionists_flock_to_darwin

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Tmoney, Phoenix AZ — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:19:10 GMT

Wow Brandon, you just totally convinced me with your Venus argument. Brilliant, there simply must be a god now!!!

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Kim, Queens New York — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:22:25 GMT

I love it!! Religious or not it is absolutely beautiful. It just goes to show people how small minded we are when we can't think outside of the box. I'm emailing this to my mom, she'll get a kick out of it.

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terry fisher,yuma, arizona — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:26:21 GMT

professing themselves to be wise, they became fools!

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comicbookman, chicago, illinois — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:29:25 GMT

sometimes a bananna is just a bananna, and sometimes a rapidly spinning neutron star is just a rapidly spinning neutron star. i would hope that the creator of heaven and earth and everything inbetween would be all knowing enough to realize that we were catching him/her/it reaching for a hot dog. finding the actual image of god in everything from pizza slices to rapidly spinning neutron stars trivializes the concept to an almost breath taking level. good thing god has a sence of humor.

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Bilal — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:30:03 GMT

It is not the hand of GOD,but it shows the greatness of GOD ALMIGHTY.He always shows us the signs but we ignore.

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John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:32:19 GMT

It's Homer Simpson reaching for a ballpark special (notice the four fingers and the chubby arms.

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catlady, Olympia, WA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:35:41 GMT

Three fingers and a thumb?--nope, it's a left hand with four fingers and a thumb that's disquised as a neutrom star

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JesterJames, Pennsylvania — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:40:59 GMT

God created us in his image. If he only have 4 fingers then we have one too many. The faithful should start chopping off their fingers.

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Paul Bullhead City — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:41:59 GMT

Why would God need human hands?

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Stevie Wonder, Celsian, Vercon — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:43:07 GMT

Looks just like the flare up on my Char-Grill Barbeque last night, while we cooked some steaks. It must have been the hand of God trying to snatch our steaks. No doubt about, it looks just like that flare up, I swear to God. I think my old Char-Grill might be worth some real money now. Any bidders?

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Shannon McCOy — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:43:32 GMT

Is it just me or does God have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

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Richard B, Grapevine, TX — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:44:59 GMT

Danny G, OMG me too...but it was in my dinner last night ;) I have to agree with Myers from the artive...that 40% needs to go WAY down

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lishi, Mesa, AZ — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:47:18 GMT

why is it so hard for us to think of human kind or all life including this planet as special? Maybe thats our biggest problem as beings.

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Bart Lawrence, Canada Barrigada, Guam — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:49:10 GMT

GOD IS LEFT HANDED. I KNEW IT!

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Silvia Gioodman San Antonio, Texas — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:49:15 GMT

It looks like God'hand, blood in his head. and his mother in color blue.

April 15, 2009

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Julie, Seoul, South Korea — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:54:08 GMT

Religious freaks love to blindly follow anthropomorphicism. I like it when they point to things like this as 'proof' of a higher power.

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altair, mohadib, jerusalem — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:56:45 GMT

lol nothing is true everything is permitted

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JC, Fairbanks, AK — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:24:51 GMT

No, there is NO, ZERO, NIL, reason why the planets should neccessarily all "spin" the same way. One should really learn classical mechanics before trying to speak about it. Other wise one sounds like a . . . flying spaghetti monster.

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deedee — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:33:51 GMT

Superstitions are alive and well. Sad that so many, still believe in a delusional god created by man.

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Jesse B. Hannah, Tucson, AZ — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:40:18 GMT

@ not morman or athiest (sic):

Interestingly enough, Latter-day Saints ("Mormons") do actually, scripturally believe in life on other planets: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/1 (roughly verses 29-38). They're still beyond what we have been able to explore of the universe so far, but nothing says that we won't discover each other eventually.

I personally am very scientifically minded, believing in a 13.6byo universe, evolution, etc.; but just because many Christians call science wrong because it contradicts their interpretation of the Bible doesn't mean that we all do, nor does it at all mean that the universe itself was not divinely created. Like you said, there is no way to scientifically prove or disprove the existence of God, but one can look at the earth and the universe and phenomena such as this as manifestations of the beauty of His creation.

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Joe — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:45:43 GMT

Wait a minute....is he flipping us off?

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Reilly, Burbank, Ca — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:47:03 GMT

All hail FSM.

Ramen.

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Trilo, San Francisco, CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:59:38 GMT

Let's not forget that this is not even a photo. It's an artist's interpretation of x-ray spectrum data received by NASA. I know, doesn't sound as exciting, does it? NASA has employed a small staff of artists and technicians for more than a decade to 'breathe life' into the otherwise grainy, monochrome, pixellated fragments of data captured by recording instruments.

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troy — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:19:13 GMT

It may be the hand of God; but what is he doing holding that lit joint??

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Lucas, Güssing, Austria — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:26:12 GMT

If you check out Bad Astronomy, there is a plausible theory for why Venus spins backwards. In fact, it's the same as the theory of why the Earth's axis is tilted: something big hit it long ago and flipped it completely over.

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sean, chicago, IL — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:27:58 GMT

if this is the hand of god then he clearly is a simpson....4 fingers.

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Jim, Chicago, Ill. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:34:54 GMT

"Apparation" is not a word, and should be "aberration" or "apparition" ... Funny, looks like a confusion of both words to make one incorrect one! Just noting.

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Nick Commerce, Texas — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:41:28 GMT

This is just one of the many wonders of God. I believe in God but unlike most Christians I believe that he really is the Alpha and Omega of the universe. Sadly most Christians put limits on what they call a limitless God.
God set this all in motion and has let it "all" play out to the grander scheme of everything. The Creator is truly a genius physicist,chemist,biologist,astrophysicist, etc. God is the ultimate scientist "bar none".

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John, St. Louis, MO — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:11:10 GMT

Who cares what it is? It's a great image and in my opinion can be both a help to science and a symbol for those of faith. Live and let live.

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Sam, Gulf Shores, Alabama — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:15:29 GMT

God has arthritis?

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Daphne — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:27:44 GMT

He who does not realize that there is intelligent design in every creation - from the smallest atom to the largest constellations - is either (a) blind, (b) stupid, (c) has led a life too tragic to allow him to see reality. Common sense tells us that such complexity, beauty and highly advanced patterns in the universe could not have come about by pure chance.

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Hitchhiker 42 Fletcher Ohio — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:07:54 GMT

Well it could be worse we could have been given the finger

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Tony, Alta Loma, CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:12:39 GMT

Brandon...

The law of conservation of linear momentum is a fundamental law of nature, and it states that the total momentum of a closed system of objects (which has no interactions with external agents) is constant. One of the consequences of this is that the center of mass of any system of objects will always continue with the same velocity unless acted on by a force from outside the system.

So that blows your 'opinion' unless you want to make up new theories based upon a faith-based belief system.

Believe want you must and leave the science to us.

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Gary — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:13:30 GMT

Well if you were looking at this from a different direction in space it would not look that way. And one would be naive to think that all life forms in the universe have hands. People see what they want to see to explain what they believe. I myself see gas, stars and color in that picture.

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spaceluva — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:14:49 GMT

I think it's beautiful. I don't care how it got there. Awesome job, space!

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Darwin's Bulldog, Eugene, OR — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:19:27 GMT

There is NO GOD that intervenes in the human world to show us a "hand" made out of a vast region of space light years' away. If there were a God, why not make his whole picture visible for us out there - oh right, to TEST us. You religious folks have a nonsensical answer for everything. Maybe you need to stop looking for God in images that your mind plays on -the human mind is adapted -NOT "designed"- for recognizing faces, hands, whateer Jungian iconic imagery you can think of that would aid us in human interaction - maybe look for God WITHIN yourself, you have an untapped power that the devil has tricked you into worshipping OUTSIDE yourself. We were the Gods, the devil Jehovah/Allah enslaved us long ago through our male political leaders in antiquity and Christ was actually trying to free people from that, didn't work apparently. Long live reason, the age of ignorance is ending.

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Darwin's Bulldog, Eugene, OR — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:27:03 GMT

I love the bringing up of Venus's irregular orbit to prove that a white-bearded "man in the sky" made us 6000 years ago. You people are really grasping at straws and obviously don't understand science. Just because we don't have a COMPLETE picture of the universe or evolution doesn't mean we're not learning the truth --> and if data were discovered to formulate a theory on Venus's rotation scientists would update the theory. Same with evolution, the lack of a "missing link" is often referred to - except dozens of "links" have been found. There will always be uncertainties and puzzles in a natural world so ancient and vast, which is why scientists love their work and want YOU to as well. The difference is, scientists account for new data, and write a new theory - get it, the theories are GROWING! -- creationists/fundamentalists run back to their bibles and guns and hide under their bed from the big bad world that makes them feel so small.

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Mary, Tennessee — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:29:23 GMT

It doesn't matter to me if this is the "Hand of God" or just an astromomical phenomenon.. I still appreciate the wonder of it. I don't understand why people are so intent to shove their ideology down eash other's throat... damned and need to be saved for not believing in God or stupid and pathetic if one does..... Get over yourself and enjoy the beauty.

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Fundamentalist Astronaut — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:31:45 GMT

BTW, Venus - Pluto - and Uranus rotate backwards - so that means more than 33% of the planets we know of (or can see) - I'd be willing to bet that about 30% of all planets spin the "wrong" way, they must all be placed here by GOD, huh? Even the ones we can't see, as proof to show us once we start exploring the stars

Seriously, America is full of morons who hide from their primate ancestry and end up acting like stupid monkeys because of it.

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Noah Stephens — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:36:11 GMT

People who believe in god are becoming an increasingly quaint, sad, peculiarity. There no place for those kind of slavish superstitions in the modern world.

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bart lawrence, barrigada, guam — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:43:21 GMT

God is a lefty. I knew it!!!!!!!!

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Joyce Winkler, Sunset Beach NC — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:43:56 GMT

Whatever happened to being simply awed and amazed at the incredible beauty of the universe? A Believer in the Creator of All

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Greg Esposito, New Jersey — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:44:18 GMT

Is not beautiful and awe inspiring whether you believe it be divinely motivated or not so simply a natural occurence?

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Not a blogger — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:46:06 GMT

quote: "My respect for humanity can only be restored if that 40 percent is reduced," Myers wrote.

I am laughing at msnbc, and all other networks who quote bloggers, for even bringing Myers into this article.

His opinion should be down here in the comments (where it's least valuable), not in the article.

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joan Icker — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:48:40 GMT

I believe in signs and miracles. We have become a
cold and calculating world. This picture warms the
heart. Recently read a book, "What the Bleep do we
Know". Try it!

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Donna, Cranston, RI — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:58:10 GMT

It appears to be the Celestial Hand of God holding up Jesus's Crown of Thorns.

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David, Richmond, VA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:11:42 GMT

Can a man truly behold the beauty of God this side of heaven? Perhaps it is best for those believing in God to see it as another proof of His existence. He is seen in all Creation. For others perhaps just to say wow, isn't that beautiful.

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Tony Gillings — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:12:22 GMT

So Coke has finally made it into Space!

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Angie Selph, Clarksville, Tennessee — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:17:14 GMT

I do not think it is the hand of God, but God does exsist. There is more and more eveidence of that everyday. Mathematical and scientific eveidence, wether you want to hear that or not! If you have not had a religious upbringing, have not been touched by God, or experienced a miricle.....still, why would you want to chance not believing? Open minds and open hearts area sign of intelligence, I get very frustrated with the implication that because you believe in God and Jesus you are some how less intelligent. Those who don't believe are ususally hiding from something they are afraid of, or do not understand. As I said before, I don't think the picture is the hand of God because the hand of God would be much more glorious, and like someone said above, it has three fingers!!

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Chad Bergemann, Green Bay, WI — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:25:39 GMT

The reason Venus spins in the opposite direction is because she's female. DA……

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Bob Bair — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:29:05 GMT

No way that is God's hand. God is left handed, like all other superior beings.

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t.dillon, nashville,tn — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:51:42 GMT

rotate 90, 180, 270 and see what it looks like

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Glenn — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:53:02 GMT

Did Life create Physics? or did Physics create life?
Duh!!

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Mike Rieker — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:08:01 GMT

I think the Big Bang is a wonderful theory but it is just that. It is nothing more then an educated guess. If faith in God gets you through the day, then peace be with you. If faith in man gets you through the day, then God help you.

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Mike Rieker — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:08:50 GMT

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JD, IN — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:11:29 GMT

Conservation of momentum says what? I guess I didn't get that memo. Nice picture though.

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Bob Lansford, PA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:14:17 GMT

It too me when I first looked at it to be "the hand of God" What is so wrong with that? Our nation was founded on christian principles. Now as soon as someone says something with "God" in it they are ridiculed and labeled. Yes there is a scientific explanation. It does not mean that we cannot look at it and See The beauty in it. So to me it is the Hand of God. It is reaching out of the darkness to the points of light which is his creation, reminding us that he is still with us. Maybe if more of us start seeing things without ridicule this nation may have a chance. If not you all can see where we are headed, Just like the Romans.

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Steve, Iowa — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:24:05 GMT

Wow, 3 fingers and one thumb... God must have been created by Matt Groening!!!

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JQ Altoona, PA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:41:46 GMT

The picture is really neat to look at. As far as the Athiests go on this blog who make ignorant comments about endless space & believers in that we are the only living planet in space... It's impossible for us to be the only living species in space and if there isnt a God then who or what created "Endless Space"?
Go to church please.. you might learn something about your maker. Just keeping the faith!

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MT Ohio — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:44:29 GMT

God (pun intended)...people will look for something in nother, especially if they claim it's proof of God or some other nonesense belief

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Kate Mills Omaha Nebr. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:02:19 GMT

Ah Yes, you can hear those thinking brains spin... Let's just enjoy it! Shall we!

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Alex, Minneapolis MN — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:14:39 GMT

It's an insult to the scientists to name their discoveries after the very superstition which is trying to discredit the science itself.

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Monty Boyd, Croccville, Tenn. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:22:16 GMT

The comments displayed show the array and diversity of the mindset that is the HUMAN RACE. This also proves that we are (contrary to much arrogance), not GOD.

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Robert, Tacoma, Washington — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:29:13 GMT

I think it is pretty obvious, God is telling us to "talk to the hand." He's had enough... Enough hypocrisy in His name. Enough death in His name. Enough hatred, enough intolerance, enough arrogance of man, somehow thinking that ANY religious belief explains Him correctly.

I do not know what to believe... I am neither so foolish, nor so arrogant, as to think that anything about God, if he exists, is truly understandable by beings as limited yet so full of themselves as we humans are.

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M. Kvas — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:44:41 GMT

The Wombat, Albany, NY;
You are looking at it all wrong . . . this represents the back of His Right Hand. His opposed thumb is closing (therefore need seen) as He is reaching out to grasp it.

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My 2 Cents — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:06:52 GMT

Why is it that people seem to gravitate one way or the other? Explain to me why God couldn't have created the laws of science, and why science and religion can't work in harmony. We have been here in this universe such a short time in comparasin to the rest of it, yet we have the audacity to think we have all the answers.
Mr. Meyers is an obvious proponent of the theory that "if I can not find evidence of the existance of God, then there must be no God". This appears to me to be someone who is running with blinders on, not paying attention to anything outside of his world. By the same token, there are just as many religiously inclined individuals that refute science on the basis that it somehow attacks religion.
Religion is the path toward spiritual enlightenment. Science is the path to intellectual enlightenment. It seems to me we need both.

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Rick Johnson, Plymouth, MN — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:16:05 GMT

The psalmist explained it year ago: "The heavens are telling the glory of God; the firmament declares His handiwork." And Paul said it again in his letter to the Romans: "Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;
[21] for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened."

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Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:26:38 GMT

What a great picture Alan! So sad that the religious fanatics have to spoil the natural beauty of this picture with their spiritual labels. I think it should be called "The Great Right Hand of Nature" since it's definitely a good fit of us seeing the inside of a right hand. So amazing how through natural random chaos we once in a while see some cool picture we can relate to.

So what about the bright red lights above the finger tips? Are they the "Great FingerNail Clipper"?

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Carlton, Kamuela, Hawaii — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:34:03 GMT

Right Hand or Right hand?

Looks like a right hand. One can imagine 4 fingers and a fuzzy thumb, but wonder if the left hand knows what the right is doing because it is too small to be God's hand. After all any worthy God needs to be at least infinite. :-)

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Sai Bobby — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:34:04 GMT

it's Elvis!

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Joey V., Raleigh, North Carolina — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:40:47 GMT

Its not just a coincidence that we happen to be the only planet known to date that harbours life. I used to believe in alien life forms and what-not but recently I believe that God put all those planets out there to prove that we can spend a life time researching other orbs of dust in search of extraterrestial neighbors and find nothing because of the fact that he created us and only us. I do think this is a sign of some sort directly from the big guy upstairs - what it means I dont know. It could also be a sign with the 6 sided storm on saturn... who knows but it proves there is something bigger than us. Something science will never prove, despite how fascinating it is. I think people who discredit this as a cosmic sign are simply dodging the truth. What an ignorant coment for Myers to make I might add. I think the 4% of people who remaind solid in believing this to be a Godly sign are stronger than the percentage of people who shifted. You cant attack someone's belief but stand true to what you do believe, dont let some fat headed evolutionary biologist change your mind because he has a heavy title.

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Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:53:11 GMT

To me it's the hand of God making a crown of stars!...NOT !

This is a further reminder of how large scale processes can mimic symmetry to make things appear human-like (faces, hands etc.). It's a grand example of how stars come about. As for the hand o God analogy? truth is their are many in the world who would believe just that and that todays telescopes have allowed us to actually see God at work. Amazing.

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Aegliss B Shelbyville TN — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:55:33 GMT

And God said, "Let there be giant hot dogs!" and then there were. And he saw them and ate them, and they were good. Delicious even.

"All your hot dogs are belong to us!"

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Rob, Austin, TX — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:30:51 GMT

@John: Obvious? Hundreds of thousands or millions of experiments are consistent with no creator. You'd think such an "obvious" fact would leave traces, no?

Or are you arguing first cause without seeing the contradiction in your own argument?

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Barry U. Headinsand, Lakeland, Fl — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:36:05 GMT

Although the "Hand" is enormous in comparison to a human hand, it's still insignificantly teensy tiny compared to the overall scale of the universe. Based on that fact, I'd say this is almost certainly NOT God's hand. More likely it is one of His sub-minions, perhaps the Copy Room Boy or the Hand of the Assistant Deputy Advisor to the Holy Department of Heavenly Astral Something-Or-Others.

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Jim Smith, Seattle, WA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:51:26 GMT

@brandon....seriously?
First of all, the planets didn't form out of the big bang, they formed out of a large disk of material that at one point made up other very large stars which exploded. Those stars were made of other larger gas clouds that were formed as the heat of the universe went down and allowed protons and such to form. The matter to make those up (in the form of energy) was what was released in the big bang.

Also, the early solar system was a bit of a busy place, and something really big dun hit Venus and made it turn over...its still spinning the same way, but its upside down.

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andy, wa — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:51:36 GMT

The poll was dumb. Why only two choices? What about Bumba and all the other gods not usually referred to as "God"? And why not an alien? If we're going to suspend reality and look for a paranormal explanation then the possibilities are literally limitless so why limit them to the dismembered hand of the Judeo-Christian God?

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Dr. Manhattan in the Circinus Constellation — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:00:46 GMT

40% probably also see fluffy bunnies in the clouds...It looks like a big blue blob to me with a bright blue dot in the middle.

No 'hand of god'not even a hand.

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eddymontana, Great Falls, MT — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:02:54 GMT

The evidence of the Creator is found in the background radiation of the universe. That which is everywhere and everything is contained within that light from the big bang. Let there be light and truth.

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resident of reality — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:04:04 GMT

I agree with the fact that a creator cannot be proven nor dis-proven. I think that you have people arguing either side that are too quick to turn nothing into something. For example, the big bang is nothing more than a theory. There is some supporting evidence, but nothing definitive. There is just as much evidence that God exists.

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Joeboy — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:15:42 GMT

It's called pareidolia - the tendency to observe human characteristics in distinctly non-human things. Although a big cosmic hand is admittedly more romantic than Jesus' face in a tortilla.

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Chris Weaver, Columbus, Ohio — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:36:00 GMT

Brandon is partially right about conservation of movement, but he ignores what could occur after the planet is given its initial motion. A large collision, which occurred more often in the early stages of the solar system, could easily change the rotation of a planet.

As for the picture, it is obviously an angel squeezing a slug.

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Kirk, Ottawa, ON — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:40:09 GMT

The hand of Apollo? Strange coincidence that it should appear before the debut of the new Star Trek movie

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Jim Special - Austin, TX — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:55:45 GMT

How can you talk about how far a 'christian' god is beyond our limited ability to understand and then assign this abstract being such an arbitrarily pedantic characteristic as a human hand? What? God's beyond our understanding, except for when it comes to having a human body? You claim you have equal proof of your christian god to match the validity of scientific theory, but routinely fail to mention or produce said proof. The christian bible was written over 2000 years ago by marginally literate opiate addicts in a society even more dangerously less-informed than our own. But hey, it is the greatest-selling book of all time.

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Ombwah — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:56:56 GMT

I cast Bigby's Cosmic Hand, obviously.

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Allen N — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:03:20 GMT

John:

Your conservation of momentum argument against the big bang makes absolutely no sense. In point of fact, if the planets and stellar systems all rotated in the same direction, it would be contrary to the law of conservation of momentum. Further -since objects, apart from our solar sysytem such as double stars, multiple stars, clusters, and galaxies areall randomly oriented, how would you ever contend that momentum is not being conserved?? Didn't do all that well in physics/Astronomy eh?

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JINGO DREXEL HILL PA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:07:45 GMT

GET REAL -IF ITS 17,000 LIGHT YEARS AWAY,THEN IT FORMED 17,000 YEARS AGO !! WHAT DO YOU THINK IT LOOKED LIKE THEN.GOD DOES'NT NEED TO SHOW OFF HIS HAND IS EVERY WHERE.

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steve smyth — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:22:11 GMT

First of all...cartoons have had three fingers and a thumb since day one...Matt Groenig didn't invent the idea...maybe it's Mickey Mouse.
On that note...it's great that God/Creationism/Big Bang/ and Homer Simpson are mentioned in the same breath...now that's an indication of the direction Evolution is taking us if you ask me.

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God, Omnipresent — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:40:22 GMT

God, the Creator, Big Fella... whatever, the force which created anything to begin with would surely not limit itself to a physiological representation such as our frail and imperfect meat-sacks.

Hand of God, nope. Natural phenomena, yep. If "God" is the God of nature and all the rules by which nature conforms are the laws of God, then everything is touched by his "hand" in some way, directly or indirectly.

Whatever force put the wheels into motion set the rules for everything. God, or not, there is a force.

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Halo — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:41:40 GMT

If so why are the pinky and the Thumb nubs? Did it run in Gods family genes?

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forgiven and thankful — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:53:53 GMT

why is it that every time i read on this blog, the ignorant among us (athiests or non believers) make EVERY effort to insult or degrade those who are aware of the truth of creation? i dont think i'll ever understand your animosity.
it is written that God holds ALL of creation in His hand, so this is not the hand of God, merely an explainable phenomenon that reveals the majesty of creation.
re:not morman post; of course we are a 'special creation' even scientists admit we reside in a place "absolutely perfect" for life as we know it. nowhere else have we seen this 'miraculous haven for life."
to those who feel that we are being ludicrous believing that we might understand God, the very nature of science is just that, to discover the "how of creation" or, better termed, the mind of God.
re: let go of dogma; we are indeed not ants, but human beings, formed and created in the image of God. 'how arrogant'? not at all, God created us in His image specifically that we can have fellowship with Him. if God states this, where is our arrogance?
if you choose not to believe, then you have made your choice. i make no effort to convert you or anyone else, perhaps you should return the favor, and quit trying to convert those who do understand the truth.
mike dywat, you have it backwards, there are many things that can prove God, there is nothing that can disprove God.
grace and peace

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Irene, Las Vegas, Nevada — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:59:06 GMT

You all can mock God but when you face Him one day, it won't be so funny. He is not to be mocked. There is a Creator and what if He was showing His existence to you and you were too mocking or arrogant to see Him.

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Teresa Russell, Key West, Fl. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:04:10 GMT

God is spiritual and is in all of us. So of course, it is in that burst of energy. We see the hand of God everyday when a child is born, or a flower blooms. Even in the thunder and ligthning, earthquake or hurricane.

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rcL, City of Angels, CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:21:27 GMT

honestly, can any one calculate what are the odds are that this is only just "natural phenomenon"? It's God.i mean really, how often does this happens in a human lifetime. please.

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Carl, Orange CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:41:05 GMT

Thanks to t.dillon for pointing out the artists' trick of rotating a picture to reveal other images. Some call this the "War of Illusions". With a little calm and creativity, images of faces, hands, bodies, or just about anything can be realized in any picture.

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Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:59:33 GMT

Kirk, Ottawa "The hand of Apollo? Strange coincidence that it should appear before the debut of the new Star Trek movie"

LOL !!

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june sundquist — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:39:39 GMT

How far away is 17,000 light years? I knew once
upon a time , but now my head is too old to compute.
It sure is beautiful anyhow....

[ALAN ADDS: Roughly speaking, 1 light-year = 6 trillion miles or 10 trillion km. So 17,000 light-years equals about 100 quadrillion miles. I'm not sure that's any more meaningful as a measure.]

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Wendy Kilbreath Alliance Ohio — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:46:04 GMT

It obviously Homer Simpson reaching for a doughnut.

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Robin Myers — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:13:57 GMT

Look up the word anthropomorphic and you will understand more of the ancient approach to understanding how we put our little egos on a God of our misunderstanding....why do I bother,people don't really want to think,it takes too much energy they can use for selfish pursuits,eh?

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Dustin, SA , TX — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:12:08 GMT

Believers : it is not a very good argument when you say "well i believe in God and if I am wrong then I have nothing to lose but if you are wrong..." not very good faith.

Non-believers : how can you sit there and say you dont believe in God but you think this from another life form in outerspace?

cool picture here and as far as the argument goes non-believers are currently making more rational logical sense than believers.

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Peg Wallace Canyon TX — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:50:54 GMT

You non believers are really a sad group of people. How sad for all of you to make a jokes. As the Christian way, I will be praying for you.

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NICK GRAND PRAIRIE TEXAS — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:13:31 GMT

WE ARE LOOKING UP AT IT. WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE IF WE WERE LOOKING DOWN AT IT OR FROM THE BACK, SIDE ,TOP. MMM... KIND OF LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THOSE INK SPOT PICTURES.

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Eddie Gutierrez, Lemoore, CA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:21:10 GMT

I really think it is awesome site reguardless whatever one's opinion is on what it may be. Space and what it has to offer will always be a mystery until one can find a way to explore it 1st hand.

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John Shaunigan, Hartford Ct. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:31:49 GMT

We've known about this since the 1960's, it was featured in Star Trek - Who Mourn's for Adonais episode 33., the greek god Apolloheld the Enterprise using his giant stellar hand.

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Xeno, Deaderl Way, Wa — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:30:51 GMT

Think of it this way bangers you bang is nothing mor than a exit of a black hole and the matirial and life hence created from the entrance comes from ???? Dimension.....mATER CAN NOT BE CREATED JUST REARANGED.... Intelegence is earned and we were given the ability to choose to not know Him....

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JQ ALTOONA PA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:54:27 GMT

if you look at the hand (palm down) you can see it does have 5 fingers.

Why do people doubt that there is a God? They need "physical" proof. The funny thing is the proof is right in front of their faces everyday. Do you love your family? Do you love your children? Do you like your job? Do you like yourself?

Prove it!

90% of the world believes in God or a superior being. It must be preservatives in our food that makes us all suffer from mass delusion.

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JQ ALTOONA PA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:28:27 GMT

"Jesus will sit at the right hand of the Father"
Right hand (palm down) reaching out for a crown of thorns.

Call the picture what you wish, I call it an amazing coincidence. I also appreciate GOD for creating it.

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Muffler — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:40:29 GMT

So, the Creator of the heavens and the Earth decides to show Himself to the only beings that worship Him by allowing an image of His hand to be captured, 17,000 light years away?

Who would have known? Religious people look silly when they claim it's God's image while it is captured using the technology created by a rational scientific discipline. The same ones these religious people hampered and punished for hundreds if not thousands of years.

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Suzie Walsh, Oak Ridge Tn — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:42:20 GMT

Very Nice Picture! Hello God!! Here I am down here, can you see me?

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JQ Altoona, PA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:35:54 GMT

Muffin:

It is God's image .. not in the sense you think people are claiming it to be.

I'm religious and I am grateful for scientists, so I really dont know what you mean by punishing them for thousands of years.. that was a bit dramatized.

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MaryAnn, Fredon, NJ — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:02:30 GMT

I love that picture... WOW!

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MaryAnn, Fredon, NJ — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:07:36 GMT

What's all this talk about God... as soon as you mention God.. people are up-roar about it... now if you said the devil's hand, which might as well be... God dosen't mess around with fire.. don't you know that? Hello, people... Do you think that big bang happen because of God/ No .. I know it was not....
God created a beautiful life, and the Devil destroyed it all... and now we call it Big Bang, that that's how God created the universe...
Yeah.. all this Fire... that's all it is.. great ball of Fire,,, we call Universe..
The thing it is that the devil is not through with us yet... that's what this shows...
get a grip on yourselves people....
If we didn't have God with us, or on our side... we would be tosted to crisp by now...
Thank You God.

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Chris, Austin, TX — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:45:25 GMT

This further backs up my theory that we are inside a star that is inside a much bigger universe. That is why something in the center blew up and as you look towards the other end of the explosion it speeds up until reaching the speed of light.

If that is a hand, it must have got blown of something bigger during the explosion. So, hopefully it is not God's hand, or he got his hand blown off!

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Me Anywhere USA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:58:06 GMT

All I've got to say is "It's a beautiful picture."

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mahgii — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:17:04 GMT

wat wud u believe .it is an alien or god? GOD..i believe God is real and this is something strange but not cause by jesus

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JQ Altoona, PA — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:21:47 GMT

Thanks be to God....AMEN

I hope we all go home and say a prayer for the less fortunate & for the non-beleivers

I dont claim this is the actual hand of GOD.. but it is a creation of GOD that a lot of people are all up & arms about ... good or bad...

All I see is the good

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Doc, Victor, Idaho — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:21:24 GMT

Many of the messages above are really funny. My opinion of humanity has increased. Some people were careful observers and some were careful thinkers. The believers fall into neither category.

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Moses,tucson,az. — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:39:48 GMT

Why so many science geek's and nerds are so completely biblically illiterate is sad. I suggest opening a bible instead of a comic or a Harry Potter story book might help. In fact many REAL scientists are deeply religious and they understand that a higher power is behind all creation. This is not the place for a theology lesson, and I doubt the hateful atheist know-it-alls would comprehend the concept.(the invisible man)They are beyond help, and ironically the bible accounts for the masses who reject the creator. I know most will not be saved. Maybe one of these times one of these geniuses will fill us in on just how life sprung up from nothing...... hmm...well??? ... waiting.....hmm hmm.. I didn't think so, better go back to the lab to create spontaneous life!!! Ha..Ha ha... he he .God help the ignorant fools.

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Bob, Bloomfield, NJ — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:39:20 GMT

Gee, I guess God is really big...

The hubbub over the Hand

Joe, KC, Missouri — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:26:50 GMT

I am all for creation and God, but to honestly believe this is the actual physical hand of God is ridiculous. What is even more ridiculous is the insecure, arrogant, and self-rightous people who deride and belittle those who DO have faith in the Lord. You scoffers who refuse to accept the Truth, making bold claims about "holes" in God's Word without any proof.

The hubbub over the Hand

Dakk, USA — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:37:01 GMT

So, are we saying that God only has four fingers? What happened to the other one? An accident with a reciprocating saw during the creation of the universe? Where the heck was OSHA?

The hubbub over the Hand

Joe Brown, San Diego — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:46:24 GMT

Ok I will ALL the questions posed in this Lengthy thread.

Venus Can spin either way.. at any speed or not at all - without breaking the laws of physics or the conservation of enery in any way at All...

The hand is visible only in x-ray not beacuse God was dumb enough to think we see that way... but smart enough to know we could figure out how to see it.

People who say they Know God are not arrogant for that thought.. quite the opposite.. they are not saying the Know God like they know thier neighbor.. they are saying they know of God's Existance and Know of what God can do for them in their lives if they open themselves up to Him.

17000 Light years away... does not necessarily mean God Created the hand 17000 years ago... We only believe that because of what we think we know about physics and the speed of light.

Just beacause the hand does not have all the fingers doesn't mean that it doesn't maybe God wants us to develop yet another technology to find it... or maybe it is still forming for the day that we can....

For those who ask.. "why not the whole body?"... same answer...

For those who ask.. "why would God Show himself as Humanoid?"... well who knows why Gos or you or me would do Anything we do.... but just because you don;t know why... does not mean He didn't have a good reason... that you just don't understand... let's go with a simple one.... perhpas God Knows we would recognize the human form.. go figure.

For those who say those the those who subscribe to the theory of creationism are not observant of are not thinkers..... WHAT?... are you yourself thinking or observing... lets take a breif outward look at something as simple as breathing.... explain to me how that becomes.. from nothing though sience without inteligent design... then think about seeing, the digestive system the muscular-skeleton system, the brain, imune system... sense of smell, sight, taste... you name it.. look at those things in close detail.. figure out one of them.. let alone how they all come together to form life... and tell me again who is not thinking or observing....

Just because it is possible that many of these things happened naturally.. doesn't mean that God did not make the world, universe... etc. to be able to make it work that way.

There is no Naked woman on the wrist

There is no Bong Smoke in the Picture.

The Red thing is not a hotdog or a pizza or a crown of thorns... it may be a beacon... "made you look"

Some on asked what would it look like from a different angle... that question in itslef is the answer... why would God make it look like a hand from a different angle. if this is the angle we are seeing it from.. perhaps from the angle of planet X in solar system Y it looks like the hand of species Z.
Perhaps not... but not looking like a hand form a different angle does not discredit the fact that it looks like a hand at this angle.

NAy questions I missed? Let me know.. I'll help you to understand.

The hubbub over the Hand

Jane — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:53:59 GMT

One man says a poll is incorrect and they "correct" it?

Good to see democracy, fairness and open-minded behaviour is alive and well in America.

God forbid we all think differently and possibly on our own without some bag of wind telling us what we know.

The hubbub over the Hand

levi decora — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:58:54 GMT

i can't believe that so called intelligent people,want to see something in a picture,i mean REALLY.what happened to advanced thought.or just SCARED of the unknown.

The hubbub over the Hand

Greg, Pasadena, MD — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:31:17 GMT

God invented physics, we discovered it. God is all powerful if he wanted to he could have burried "dinosaur bones" as a joke. If he wanted he could spin one planet in the "wrong" direction, as a reminder that without him we are never going to truly understand anything.

The hubbub over the Hand

J T Norville, Rocky Mount, NC — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:39:05 GMT

It's your choice to believe what you want to believe because God gives you that choice. This image tells those who believe that Jesus died for their sins and rose again on the third day that the time is winding up and He is coming again to take His church (the body) home. You still have an opportunity to repent of your sins and receive Jesus into your hearts as your personal Savior and you shall reign with Him forever in His glorious kingdom. My prayers are with you and may God bless you.

The hubbub over the Hand

Sir les — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:50:51 GMT

I see it like this...the hand is reaching for the coals that will be tossed into the Sun this coming solar cycle....so that the Earth burns a little hotter, and more woe and wrath come onto the Evil doers!....Now we can prove Evil doers!...and thus the opposite exists!...using opposites one can prove for God...and if we are reading our Bibles correctly...that day of judgment is just around the corner!...that's my opinion...

The hubbub over the Hand

The Faithful — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:07:12 GMT

I have a funny feeling that this so called "poll" is pure bogus. It's just another attempt to attack those of us that believe in the Creator. We do not dismiss science. Science and Religion complement each other. Science explains how it happens. Religion explains who and why.

The hubbub over the Hand

Beau, Sioux City, Iowa — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:09:23 GMT

or maybe its just a cloud in the vague shape of a hand cause that what our human mind decifer it as at the angle the picture was taken. Oh thats quite cool you know that god has three fingers and a thumb...u meet him back in 67?

The hubbub over the Hand

Rodger Rinker, Rocky Mt. House, Alberta — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:20:09 GMT

Well, in the only hand revealed in the heavens...we have...the nail hole!! And that is a coincidence?

The hubbub over the Hand

josh — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:34:11 GMT

This picture neither proves god or disproves god. Same thing with everything else in the world. Nothing without a single iota of doubt proves or disproves god. If there is for either side of the arguement please show me.
I totally see the bong smoke however i see a hand finger boarding when its flipped upside down. It is what you make it to be. Personally I dont believe in a supreme being of any sort but guess what.. its my life and my choice not to. Same as everybody else. Believe what you want to believe. Those that dont believe dont need to be prayed for or chastised into repenting all of our "sins" to be saved. And those that do believe dont need to be ridiculed for their beliefs.

The hubbub over the Hand

Shy,Trilby, Florida — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:34:52 GMT

I am so thankful I am a Christian. I believe in God & Jesus and I feel sorry for those who make jokes about this. It may or may not be God but look at the response it has. So many unbelievers reveiled. I would rather have faith than believe in nothing. For myself I have peace in my heart where I had none before knowing Christ. I am truely blessed to know the Lord and in awe of such beautiful sights he has provided us.

The hubbub over the Hand

Frank Glover, Rochester, NY — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:14:25 GMT

"No matter how obvious it is, the 'wise' will always discredit the existence of a creator."

Even if there is one, this does not even begin to constitute proof either way.

And even if such a thing exists, divine intervention must always be the explanation of absolute last resort. Anything else encourages intellectual laziness...

The hubbub over the Hand

Frank Glover, Rochester, NY — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:24:03 GMT

"honestly, can any one calculate what are the odds are that this is only just "natural phenomenon"? It's God.i mean really, how often does this happens in a human lifetime. please."

It's a big Universe wherein the cosmic dice are rolled many times. Occasionally, like a cloud on Earth, something will resemble something else that you already know. Humans are 'wired' to find patterns. (Man in the Moon, anyone?) It's a survival thing, but sometimes it goes into overdrive. If you were in a signifigantly different part of this galaxy, this would look quite different.

Google 'Horsehead Nebula' or 'North America nebula.' Did god do that for human benefit, too? Then there's the Helix Nebula (a.k.a Cat's Eye Nebula) which a circulating e-mail swears is the 'Eye of God' that NASA just discovered and only appears every 300 years...

The hubbub over the Hand

Jack B Windsor Ontario — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:32:05 GMT

It's Tony Soprano reaching up to close the blinds.....

The hubbub over the Hand

JGL, New York, NY — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:42:58 GMT

I once came in on a rainy day to use the toilet. As I sat down I was astonished to see on the floor in the mud I had tracked in on my feet a perfect picture of a baboon wearing a chefs hat peeling a potato (I kid you not). That settled any question I had regarding such things.

In the randomness of the universe do all posibilities exist?

The hubbub over the Hand

CHERI ST.PETERS MO. — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:58:46 GMT

HI I BELIEVE THIS IS THE HAND OF GOD AND I BELIEVE HE IS COMING SOON.AND I BELIEVE HE IS TESTING PEOPLE ON THERE BELIEFS. GOD BLESS.

The hubbub over the Hand

Watcher — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 07:40:41 GMT

Now we see thru a glass darkly. The truth will be revealed.

The hubbub over the Hand

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:41:38 GMT

At least the vast majority of the polled realize this is a some natural apparition and has nothing to do with an actual hand of God. I could understand if young kids were polled and came up with the hand of God routine...but ADULTS ? These kinds of religious interpretations is just bad astronomy. badastronomy.com

The hubbub over the Hand

Ryan L another evolved being — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:25:52 GMT

I still cant believe people cling to god so much. The idea af a human like creator is very VERY arrogant. I hope the world shifts to a godless existence. Then maybe people wont shoot up everyting in sight because god has forsaken them... again....and again.

The hubbub over the Hand

Lorri, Tamarac, FL — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:21:31 GMT

You can all stop debating. I am telling you, absolutely, this is the face of Jesus with a crown of thorns. That's it, last word. Doh, why did you all not see it? You are not slated for divine intervention.

The hubbub over the Hand

ken gifford phoenix, az. — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:04:15 GMT

it doesn't matter what your opinion is, it still looks like a hand to me. respect the image and the science that made it possible to see. spirtual images has been the meaning of life since we on earth have known we were here.

The hubbub over the Hand

JSN — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:30:48 GMT

I love how atheists are so arrogant. Science thinks that all of creation begins and ends with a enormous random bang. Guess what? Its impossible by it's own standards. According to science, energy cannot be created or destroyed, but this magical big bang had energy in abundance, and it came from somewhere. This big bang also had to have caused by SOMETHING. Explain that. Explain how out of nothingness, comes the means and energy to create the universe. Explain away the catalyst that started the whole thing? And don't tell me that "Just because we haven't figured it out yet, doesn't mean it's God."...How often to you concede "Just because Science can't prove his existence, that doesn't mean that there is no God."

The hubbub over the Hand

mike taylor — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:14:12 GMT

I do not believe this to be the hand of God though it is awesome on the scale of the pillars of creation. But it has always puzzled me how the 'wise' can look, touch, feel, study and dissect the creation to it's smallest parts yet deny a creator. I am well studied with an IQ of 140 and since I was a child have seen the hand of God in biology, mathmatics, chemistry...all in balance. All in a cosmic dance. If the Big Bang explains everything, then why is the universe still accellerating? Why, because with all our science we still know nothing. Let us be humble, scientist and christian alike have alot to learn about the real truth.

The hubbub over the Hand

Richard — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:51:54 GMT

That is just too funny...
There are still some seeing God in this...
Wow! hahaha... ;)

The hubbub over the Hand

ubaka m — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:07:26 GMT

That must be something else not the hand of my god!

The hubbub over the Hand

Frank Glover, Rochester, NY — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:32:26 GMT

"According to science, energy cannot be created or destroyed, but this magical big bang had energy in abundance, and it came from somewhere. This big bang also had to have caused by SOMETHING. Explain that."

Theoretical physicists are indeed working on that. There *are* possible explanations, none of them satisfactory or with meaningful proof...at this time.

"Explain how out of nothingness, comes the means and energy to create the universe. Explain away the catalyst that started the whole thing? And don't tell me that "Just because we haven't figured it out yet, doesn't mean it's God."

That's precisely what I'm saying.

Sorry, but you'll have to forgive science for not having all the answers to everything at once.

"...How often to you concede "Just because Science can't prove his existence, that doesn't mean that there is no God."

Personally, I acknowledge that in a heartbeat. Indeed, the ability to falsify/disprove something is part of the basis of science. (String Theorists perhaps have the greatest problem of all, in that respect.) If there's no way to *dis* prove God (or any other concept) takes the matter into the realms of philosophy and religion.

So yes, it *may* indeed be true, but it's not a question that science, by definition, can answer. And the only thing science takes on faith, is the concept that the Universe *is* understandable (which, in the extreme, could itself be wrong).

However, to just throw up your hands and declare that 'God did it' and stop, leads to that 'intellectual laziness' I referred to earlier. You see, it's also true that just because you've stopped looking for a non-divine explanation...doesn't mean there isn't one.

NOBODY said that all the answers to how the physical world works, would be easy or obvious...

The hubbub over the Hand

Daman Dkhar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:59:12 GMT

Thanks God. Its a Cosmic hand or the hand of God.. because in the last days there will be sign and wonders in the solar system and in the space too.. Its a one step for man one giant leap for mankind... what we have to do is not to be afraid by this awesome wonders but its a warning for us to get ready to hold that Hand The Hand Of God..

The hubbub over the Hand

Acien, Easton, PA — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:21:40 GMT

I think since it's blue it must be a hindu god, spreading insense.
Whatever it is, its beautiful. Too bad everyone has to try to "own it".
Go back and read all of these postings and it becomes obvious that even the believers seem intent on limiting the very thing they believe. For example this entity MUST be male.

The hubbub over the Hand

Helen Iden Memphis Tn. 38111 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:35:34 GMT

I just want the picture not all of the letters to you . I know God gives alot of signs and this hand of God picture it one. I want to print out just the picture. Please help me. Thanks

The hubbub over the Hand

Frank Glover, Rochester, NY — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:19:28 GMT

"Go back and read all of these postings and it becomes obvious that even the believers seem intent on limiting the very thing they believe. For example this entity MUST be male."

Or a lefty. I mean, are we looking at the top or the bottom of the hand...?

The hubbub over the Hand

KLS minnesota — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:33:06 GMT

Regard-less the cause it makes you think..

The hubbub over the Hand

teavis bickle — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:56:56 GMT

there are no such things as neutron stars.the laws of nuclear physics say it is impossible.read the electric sky by dr don scott.the only true astronomers are the plasma cosmologists.the clowns who say they are astronomers today are not!!,-they are creative writing artists suitible for inventing imaginary stories and entities.like the brothers grim,etc.they are NOT empirical scientists.
read the predictions page of thunderbolts.info

The hubbub over the Hand

gbna, philly, pa — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:39:13 GMT

I'm continually amazed at the stupidity of humans. The hand of god huh? Seriously?! People actually believe that this is an actual hand?!!

It's really no wonder this world is in the shape it's in with people actually believing that a giant hand is just floating out in space. Ok, first of all, why would a god need hands? Or, a body at all for that matter. And why would it just be out in space? I'm sure if you could pan over, the other hand is holding a giant bottle of Bud.

If you DO believe this is an actual hand, let me break it to you, no, it isn't. It's cosmic gas. That's about it. It's pretty, yeah, but, an actual flesh and blood HAND?!! OMG!! Also, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo aren't real, and, the Earth is round.

Welcome to reality.

The hubbub over the Hand

tmak — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:45:27 GMT

It is a reflection of god of light
and when neo objects all over unshield amtosphere,
we may be rotate into unknown dimension that we don't know
It is bigger and beyond, and signs of lights to show someone is out there,
a language of communication, kino body language
god is busy
while everyone wonder what are we doing
too little

The hubbub over the Hand

Robert Stockman — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:22:41 GMT

Check out my facbook findings and backed with scripture undisputed